Living in Finland, Migrant experiences and viewpoints Abdirizak Mohamed, M.Sc. Independent researcher, Doctoral student IIAS Conference National Parallel

Living in Finland, Migrant experiences and viewpoints

Abdirizak Mohamed, M.Sc.Independent researcher, Doctoral

studentIIAS Conference

National Parallel Seminar: Migration in Finland8.7.2009

Contents of the presentation

Overview of Trends and Demographics of Migration in FinlandFinland and Post Cold War MigrationTidal Wave of Refugees in Early 90sFamily Reunification and Programs of Social IntegrationCultural and Educational ChallengesLabour Markets and Membership of Civil SocietyGlobal Village – Interdependence and Crisis ManagementLessons Learned: Facing the Wave of New Migration

Abdirizak H. Mohamed 8.7.2009

Annual migration from and to Finland 1945-2004

Institute of Migration / Statistics Finland


Migration between Finland and other EU countries 1992–2008

Source: Statistics Finland


Foreigners in Finland 1990–2008

www.migri.fi

At the end of each year


Lähde: Väestötietojärjestelmä

Russia Estonia Sweden Somalia China Thailand Germany Turkey UK Irak

Foreigners in Finland by nationality 31.12.2008


Number of people of Somali origin in Finland 1991-2008

Statistics FinlandAbdirizak H. Mohamed 8.7.2009

Finland and Post Cold War Migration (1)

Until the 70s Finland was more of a source for migration.

First refugee groups settled were from Chile and Viet Nam.

The first groups of asylum seekers from Africa came from Somalia in the beginning of 90s.

Mixed migration from Russia, the Baltics and the Balkans increased during the 90s in the post cold war situation.

Annually 750 persons (refugees) are accepted for resettlement by agreement signed between Finland and the UNHCR.

Mixed migration increasing with the economic growth and attractive study opportunities.


Finland and Post Cold War Migration (2)

Finland joined European Union in 1995 and since then has adhered gradually to EU’s joint migration policies.

The European Council met in Tampere in 1999 and determined to develop the Union as an area of freedom, security and justice by making full use of the possibilities offered by the Treaty of Amsterdam.

“The aim is an open and secure European Union, fully committed to the obligations of the Geneva Refugee Convention and other relevant human rights instruments, and able to respond to humanitarian needs on the basis of solidarity. A common approach must also be developed to ensure the integration into our societies of those third country nationals who are lawfully resident in the Union.”

(EC, Tampere 1999)


Tidal Wave of Refugees in Early 90s

Finland experienced an economic crisis following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Immediately before and after the collapse of Somalia’s government Aeroflot was the only provider of direct flight connections from Mogadishu to the industrialized countries.

The civil wars in ex-Yugoslavia caused new ethnic groups to seek for protection in Finland.

Finland had no preparedness for the influx of asylum seekers and Finnish Red Cross assisted the government in providing shelter and security for the new arrivals.

The accommodation, the settlement and in the continuation phase the integration programmes were mostly and primarily based on ad hoc –actions and learning by doing.


Family Reunification and Programmes of Social Integration

The Somali diaspora on all continents comprises more than one million people.

In Somalia millions of people are displaced and in continuous need of humanitarian aid.

Family reunification programmes make slow progress, even in what regards the unaccompanied minors.

Uniting the family after many years and from long distances mostly causes considerable friction.

The extended ’transnational’ families remain dispersed over the global village and form an informal consultative network.

Social integration’s objectives comprises the learning of the new language and the skills for engagement to the labour markets and the societal and cultural life.


Cultural and Educational Challenges

Finland has been culturally and socially relatively isolated until after the WWII, with a non-indoeuropean language, overwhelmingly protestant and mixed western-eastern culture and a far northern climate with long winters, short summer seasons.

Addressing the cultural and religious rights of any minorities, especially the marginal ones, is in the making, but need special attention and special measures.

The educational system, like the social security system, is based on principles of equality and non-discrimination, but on the other hand does not adapt easily to the great variation within the immigration groups.

The elder generations’ pertaining to the old traditions and beliefs, even harmful practices, and the free and voluntary assimiliation of the hosting society’s values and practices cause friction within the immigrant communities.


Labour Markets and Membership of Civil Society

The economic crisis in Finland in early 90s created massive unemployment, and the opportunities for the immigrants’ access to open labour markets were scarce. Within ten years the situation has improved substantially.

The immigrant communities mostly tend to be introverted, nurturing traditions and homegrown values, and when worst, divisive and threatful.

Civic education and socially inclusive participation need special attention and to be given a priority in the integration programmes.

Learning the new language by tuition and practice must be made easily accessible and a lucrative, rewarding excercise.

Services and counseling with a multicultural approach should be universally available.


Global Village – Interdependence and Crisis Management

Respect the universal human rights’ principles.Address the push factors for mixed migration

• Poverty, massive unemployment• War, conflict, bad governance• Persecution, human right violations• Environmental degradation, climate change• Ignorance and development handicaps

Make migration a choice, rather than a necessity in the global village.Crisis management is a prerequisite for a better future.Wars and conflicts are not inevitable. They are caused by human beings. There are always interests that are furthered by war. Therefore those who have power and influence can also stop them.

Martti Ahtisaari’s Nobel Lecture, Oslo 2008


Lessons Learned: Facing the Wave of New Migration

The procedures in settlement and reception should be fair, human and supportive, not uniform and bureaucratic.

All parties should have a place at the table and have their word when problems are discussed and solutions are sought.

Prevention is better than cure and much more effective.

Peace is a question of will. All conflicts can be settled, and there are no excuses for allowing them to become eternal. It is simply intolerable that violent conflicts defy resolution for decades causing immeasurable human suffering, and preventing economic and social development.

Martti Ahtisaari’s Nobel lecture 2008

Conflict settlement requires the injection of optimism and hope born from employment and economic opportunities. Otherwise, fragile peace agreements can rarely be sustained.

Martti Ahtisaari’s Nobel lecture 2008


Migration and Development – A new Frontier?

'Europe needs more migrant workers….It will be facing increasing labour shortage at least over the next 20 years..EC president Jose ManuelBarroso07-11-2007

EC Communication on Youth 2007:“Many countries are unsuccessful in socialinclusion of youth with a migrant background or from disadvantagedminorities”


Kiitos! Thank you!

Tack! Merci!

Mahadsanid!


Documents

Living in Finland, Migrant experiences and viewpoints Abdirizak Mohamed, M.Sc. Independent researcher, Doctoral student IIAS Conference National Parallel